SARAWAK’S very own airline, AirBorneo, took to the skies on Friday morning, operating its inaugural flights to Mukah and Tanjung Manis shortly after completing the acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd the previous day.
Departing Kuching International Airport at 8.25am and 8.45am, the ATR72-500 and Twin Otter aircraft carried 54 and 15 passengers respectively, now sporting the freshly unveiled AirBorneo livery.
The airline also showcased its new cabin crew uniforms, accented with scarves inspired by Sarawak’s traditional keringkam embroidery.
State Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin described the launch as a milestone in the state’s long-term economic development strategy.
“For Sarawak, air connectivity is not a luxury, it is a necessity. As a geographically dispersed state, aviation plays a vital role in connecting our rural and remote communities, supporting trade and tourism, enabling access to education and healthcare, and facilitating business and investment,” he said.
Lee emphasised that AirBorneo carries a dual mandate: to operate commercially while maintaining essential public services to ensure connectivity for rural areas.
“The airline will continue existing rural air services across Sarawak, Sabah, and Labuan during the transition, gradually expanding to select regional routes.
“This expansion will be guided by aircraft availability, market demand, route sustainability and applicable bilateral air service agreements. This measured approach ensures prudent growth and long-term viability,” he said.
On future aircraft acquisitions, Lee cautioned that decisions would be made after careful study. “We need to study the next phase of turning it into a regional airline, where we also need to comply with regulatory measures and apply for a change in our air operating licence to include regional services.
We will have a professional team to look into the type of aircraft and so on. Give us some time, we will look into it,” he added.
AirBorneo assumed full legal and operational responsibility for MASwings on Thursday, January 1, following a sale and purchase agreement signed between MASwings’ parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group, and the Sarawak government in February last year.
As the airline rolls out its new brand identity, MASwings’ existing branding across airports, aircraft livery, uniforms, and operational equipment will be gradually removed over the coming six months.
The launch marks a decisive moment for Sarawak, reinforcing the strategic role of aviation in bridging communities and supporting regional economic growth, while signalling the emergence of a homegrown carrier poised to expand its reach across Borneo and beyond. - January 2, 2026
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